by Kip Cuthbert

The melodic strains of the Big Band sound of Jack Kennedy’s Orchestra to the burning guitar of Kim Mitchell – both benefitted from the rare talent of Sarnia’s Russ Mills.

Russ Mills was one of those natural musicians who could pick up almost any instrument and make it sing. He began by playing banjo back in the 30s with his own trio, and before long mastered the guitar, saxophone and clarinet. His Russ Mills Orchestras became quite popular in his hometown of London, Ontario. Other orchestras took notice of Mills’ rapidly increasing fame, and he started getting offers.

In the days before and during the war, “Swing” music was as popular as Rock ‘n Roll is would become in the decades to follow. Meanwhile Russ was asked to join the well-established Bubs Jamieson Orchestra and began engagements that “blew the roof” off the Ipperwash Casino dance hall during the late 30s and early 40s. On winter nights, Russ and the fellas closed the show at the London YMCA each Saturday night, and performed at Wonderland Gardens, the Goderich Pavilion, and venues as far west as Windsor.

Pianist Bob Wybrow stepped in as orchestra leader when Bubs Jamieson joined the Canadian Armed Forces. Mills took over as maestro. The Bob Wybrow Orchestra featured the top local musicians of the day, playing the Stork Club in Port Stanley and the band was broadcast live from the London Arena.

In 1943 Mills married his sweetheart, Edna, and the orchestra disbanded as more members signed up with the forces., but after the war Mills began assembling musicians once again for the second Russ Mills Orchestra. The band was a feature at the old Hotel London on Dundas Street in the immediate postwar years, and also entertained crowds at the Springbank Casino.

As Russ and Edna’s family began to grow, Mills began to seek a more permanent working situation. He found it 60 miles away in Sarnia with George Young’s “Young’s Jewellers.” The Mills family moved into a rented cottage in Bright’s Grove, but it wasn’t long before Mills’ love of music and entertaining rekindled. Mills signed on with the Jack Kennedy Orchestra, playing the music of the big bands on warm summer nights at Bright’s Grove’s popular Kenwick-on-the-Lake.

Over the next few years, Russ Mills continued to entertain Sarnians with his talent, playing primarily saxophone at Jack Kennedy’s two  famous local music halls – Kenwick-on-the-Lake in the summer months and the indoor Kenwick Terrace in downtown Sarnia in cooler weather.

The demands of domestic life finally persuaded Russ Mills to lay down his sax in the 50s, leaving behind a legacy of rare musical talent and grateful fans. Sarnians came to know Russ in his new role as the manager of Young’s Jewellers downtown and, later, at the new Lambton Mall. Russ and Jack Kennedy continued to be great pals having a few laughs, boating and dining together and talking music.

Mills continued writing and arranging music, teaching sax and clarinet. He also passed along a few jazz guitar licks to a young fellow named Kim Mitchell who had made the trek to Russ’ Exmouth Street home to pick up on a few lessons.

Two eras. One rare musician.